The new MetroBase facility is designed to accommodate expansion for future growth as well as to increase the operational efficiency of SCMTD's facilities. The design uses simple volumes and industrial materials. This is as much an economic choice as an aesthetic one - the site is in an area comprised of warehouses and industrial buildings. The corrugated metal siding, large windows, and exposed concrete represent our "re-presentation" of the tougher qualities of the immediate neighborhood, and of the striated volumes of the nearby Salz Tannery, an industrial structure of the 19th century. Beyond a simple response to the area however, the design also incorporates a high degree of sustainable design concepts to address the sensitive nature of the site along the San Lorenzo River, and to the client's desire to create a high quality working environment while achieving lower potential operational costs.

MetroBase incorporates operable windows, extensive sun shading, and the use of recycled materials to help satisfy these goals. The design will meet the Savings by Design benchmark by exceeding Title 24 energy efficiency standards by 20% or more. The Operations building itself is designed to have a "zero footprint" to minimize the impact of the structure on the local watershed. The result is a "campus" plan that extends the design heritage of this unique area while addressing the contemporary needs of operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, now and for the future of SCMTD and the Community of Santa Cruz.